Sandpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Walking past the apprentices, Ivystar look on her daughter Sandpaw. Batfang had informed her that it was time for Sandpaw to be a warrior, but a part of the leader resisted the idea of her precious she-kit growing up so fast. She was so lively, innocent to the world and a part of her feared that making her a warrior would make her a target to those that would want to hurt her. But the truth was that Sandpaw stopped being her adorable kit a long time ago, she was a skilled hunter, and a fierce fighter that had fought in the Sunningrocks battle without cowering... It was only her own mother's folly that made her see otherwise.

So with a heavy heart, Ivystar leapt onto the willow branch to called out for all to hear. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!"

Sandpaw got up from her laying position and began to assemble with the growing crowd. Was this her day? She had hoped it would be her warrior ceremony every time her mother called for a meeting. Her icy blue eyes looked up at Ivystar. She held onto that hope. The apprentice quickly groomed herself and sat up tall, just in case.

"Sandpaw!" Ivystar called out to her daughter, catching her attention so that the ceremony could begin. "I have spoken to Batfang, and he has confirmed that you have undergone all your training. Step forward for your ceremony."

Sandpaw got up and stepped forward with confidence. She was swimming in emotions but she managed to hide them well. She unknowingly dug her claws into the ground below. She was too excited to just be standing still be she had to act like a warrior to become one and that meant that she couldn't jump around like a little kit. The sand-colored she-cat felt all eyes on her.

As Sandpaw stepped forward, the leader took in a deep breath to begin the ceremony. She looked up at the stars as she spoke the words that had been spoken at every warrior ceremony since the times of LionClan and TigerClan. "I, Ivystar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Sandpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Sandpaw could no longer resist the urge to run around. She softly began to bounce up and down as she listened to Ivystar speak the traditional words. Her eyes glistened with joy as it was her turn to speak. "I do." the apprentice spoke confidently. This was it and she couldn't believe it. After all her hard work and determination, she was finally here at her own warrior ceremony.

Hearing the resounding confidence in her daughter's voice, all protests within died down into a simmer. She was ready for this, and to deny her was to delay her destiny. Sandpaw would make a good warrior, she had been trained in the icy cold of Leafbare, tempered by the frost. Thus it was fitting that her name reflected it. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you shall be known as Sandfrost. RiverClan honours your wisdom and courage in even the fiercest of battles."

'Sandfrost,' she tested out the name in her head. It flowed well, but it was foreign to her. It was done though, Sandfrost had finally become her own cat... Ivystar only prayed that she would outlive her, that she would not have to watch another of her kits die. "As per tradition, you will need to hold a silent vigil over camp whilst your clanmates get to sleep. Patrols will continue as always due to the threat of ThunderClan and WindClan, however. But for now? Celebrate our new warrior, and thank StarClan."